Abstract
In wake of changing lifestyle and increasing surgical expertise, knee replacement
surgeries have become common. Attempts at improving the postoperative range of motion
have prompted high-flexion knee arthroplasties. Consequently, there is a need to study
the anatomy of knee joint in high flexion. This study focused on a holistic description
of terminal condylar articular facet (TCAF; part of the femoral articular area in
contact with the tibia in high flexion) of medial and lateral condyles and their quantification.
In total, 104 dry femora and 16 dissected cadaveric knee joints (10 adult and 6 fetal)
were studied. In most cases, the medial TCAF showed a tongue- or wedge-shaped extension
in its lateral half, which has been referred to as extended condylar facet (ECF).
The surface area of the ECF was approximately 0.5 cm2. In adult cadaveric dissections, the fibrous capsule showed the lax attachment beyond
the ECF, thus creating a cave in the medial tibiofemoral compartment. These features
were absent in fetal dissection. The presence of an ECF has not been documented in
dry bones and has not been quantified. The variability of the size of this extension
supports the hypothesis of this being an acquired trait. This study is expected to
provide factual data for implant design improvement and a new anthropological data
on Indian femora.
Keywords
condyles - high-flexion knee arthroplasty - posterior horn - total knee arthroplasty
